GUEST EDITORIAL: Low key bill about animal rights is not what it seems

Sometime things aren't what they seem. Such is the case with state Senate Bill 1248, and its companion in the House, HB1191, working their way through the Tennessee General Assembly. It is deceptively simple, barely two sentences long, and calls for anyone recording animal abuse committed against livestock to report it to law enforcement within 24 hours. Who could be against that? Well, we are. That's because the bill is not what it seems.

Here is the heart of the bill, which adds the following amendment to state law dealing with animals:

"Any person who records by photograph or video a violation of subsection (a)

as committed against livestock shall, within twenty-four (24) hours of the photograph's or recording's creation:

(1) Report such violation to law enforcement authorities; and

(2) Submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to law enforcement authorities."

Similarly innocuous bills are pending in several states. They have been prompted by the meat and poultry industry and some livestock breeders in answer to undercover video recording and photography of savagely inhumane treatment of livestock prior to slaughter, including calves being skinned alive in Vermont and other animal abuse atrocities.

Previously, such undercover documentation in California led to one of the nation's largest meat recalls in history. The bills purport to be aimed at ensuring more humane treatment of farm animals and humane slaughter processes. Proponents of the legislation argue that early reporting of abuses would put a stop to abusive procedures more quickly.

Unfortunately, the reporting requirement also effectively puts a stop to such undercover documentation sufficient to make credible cases that the abuses are systemic, rather than singular unfortunate occurrences. It also does not allow enough time to document illegal activity under federal law.

The Senate bill is sponsored by state Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, whose family just happens to be in the livestock business. Gresham also is a past president of the Tennessee Cattle Women's Association and a past director of the National Cattle Women's Association.

We are not accusing Gresham of any animal cruelty, or of siding with those who would commit such acts. But, clearly, she is someone who understands the business and has close ties to its leadership. Certainly, not every livestock producer is guilty of such abuses. But lowering the bar of accountability for offenders only would encourage others to cut corners, and might serve as protection for those who employ such animal abuse practices.

Critics of the legislation say the chilling effect of such bills undercuts investigative reporting and denies consumers knowledge of how their food is produced. In the end, we believe the legislation is not what it seems to be, and should be defeated.

-Jackson Sun

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GUEST EDITORIAL: Low key bill about animal rights is not what it seems

Sometime things aren't what they seem. Such is the case with state Senate Bill 1248, and its companion in the House, HB1191, working their way through the Tennessee General Assembly.

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